Antithrombogenicity of cultured endothelial cell-detached surface

To examine the antithrombogenicity of cultured endothelial cell-detached surface, a simple hybrid vascular model tube consisting of a glass tube and endothelial cells was constructed. To detach the endothelial cells from the inner surface of the model tube, a steady shear stress of 2 or 8 N m(-2) was imposed onto the surface of endothelial cell monolayer by means of a coaxial double cylinder rotational-type apparatus. Coagulation of blood in contact with the endothelial cell-detached surface was examined using a damped oscillation rheometer. Coagulation of whole blood in the cell-detached tube occurred at about 40 min, which was almost the same as that in the endothelial cell-coated tube. A few platelets without shape change adhered to the endothelial cell-detached surface. These data suggest that the endothelial cell-detached surface may exhibit antithrombogenic and anticoagulant surfaces. Biochemical analyses showed that the glass surface, where endothelial cell was detached, was covered with components such as collagen type IV that is considered to be produced from the endothelial cells on the glass surface.     

Transesterification of fatty acid ethoxylates in supercritical methanol, then gas chromatography-mass spectrometric determination of the derived methyl esters, for identification of the initiators

Unknown fatty acid ethoxylate samples have been transesterified in supercritical methanol, using a loop made of a stainless-steel tubing as the reactor vessel. The initiator acids, now present as the corresponding methyl esters, were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Quantitative transesterification is achieved by heating a solution of the ethoxylate sample in methanol at 280 degrees C for 10 min under pressure. The influence of reaction time, temperature, and presence of a Lewis acid catalyst has been investigated. The method of transesterification was optimized in respect of low cost, short reaction time, and availability to laboratories with standard analytical equipment.     

Determination of carvedilol in human cardiac tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of the beta-receptor blocker carvedilol in human cardiac tissue. After homogenizing tissue samples in a microdismembrator, carvedilol and the internal standard naftopidil are extracted with acetone. The extract is evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in a potassium acetate buffer of pH 3.5. Samples are cleaned up with solid-phase extraction columns. Carvedilol and the internal standard show recoveries of 69.8 +/- 12.2% and 63.9 +/- 9.34%, respectively. The linearity range for carvedilol is 0.01-0.35 ng/mg (parts per billion) tissue (wet weight), and the limit of quantitation is 0.01 ng/mg. The percentage coefficient of variation of the intra-assay varies between 1.45 and 5.38% and the interassay between 4.25 and 6.96%. To use as an application of the assay, the cardiac carvedilol tissue level in a patient on oral carvedilol therapy for congestive heart failure is reported.     

A light-driven rotaxane molecular shuttle with dual fluorescence addresses

[reaction: see text] A molecular shuttle containing an alpha-CD macrocycle, an azobenzene unit, and two different fluorescent naphthalimide units was synthesized. The cis-trans photoisomerization of the azobenzene unit resulted in the motion of the CD macrocycle on the track. Because of the easy regulation and full reversibility of the fluorescence change of the two stopper units, the molecular shuttle could be used as a molecular storage medium or switch with all-optical inputs and outputs.     

Experimental and computational studies of intracomplex reactions in Mg+(primary, secondary alkylamine) complexes induced by photoexcitation of Mg+

We report herein a comprehensive study of photoinduced reactions in complexes of Mg+ with primary (n-propyl- and isopropylamine) and secondary amines (dipropyl- and diisopropylamine) in the spectral range of 230-440 nm. Similar to the methyl- and ethylamine complexes studied previously, N-H bond activation of these complexes is very unfavorable. Instead, the C(alpha)-C, C-N, and C(alpha)-H bond-cleavage photoproducts are observed after photoexcitation of the Mg+ complexes (3(2)P<--3(2)S). For Mg+(primary amine) complexes, for example, Mg+-NH2CH2CH2CH3, and Mg+-NH2CH(CH3)2, the photoproducts resulting from C(alpha)--C rupture prevail after P(z) and charge-transfer excitations, whereas the Mg+ photofragment is predominant upon P(x,y) excitation. However, with further N-alkyl substitution, as in Mg+(secondary amine) complexes, for example, Mg+-NH(CH2CH2CH3)2 and Mg+-NH[CH(CH3)2]2, a novel intracomplex C-C coupling photoreaction dominates on P(x,y) excitation of Mg+, which is believed to arise from Mg+* insertion into the C-N bond. With P(z) and charge-transfer excitation, the Mg-R elimination photoproducts, arising from C(alpha)-C bond cleavage, predominate. The energetics and possible mechanisms of the intracomplex photoreactions are analyzed in detail with the help of extensive quantum mechanics calculations.     

Intramolecular hydroboration of unsaturated phosphine boranes

Homoallylic phosphine boranes undergo intramolecular hydroboration upon activation by triflic acid. The reaction occurs via an intermediate B-trifluorosulfonyloxyborane complex such as 15, followed by S(N)1-like or S(N)2-like displacement of the triflate leaving group, apparently leading to the formation of a four-center transition state. In the case of trisubstituted double bonds, as in the substrates 29 and 32, ionic hydrogenation of the alkene competes with internal hydroboration.     

Properties and analytical applications of the heteropolymolybdates of phosphorus, arsenic, silicon and germanium-IV Determination of phosphomolybdic and silicomolybdic acids via the molybdenum content, with phenylfluorone

Procedures are proposed for the determination of phosphorus and silicon in the ppM range, by extraction of phosphomolybdic and silicomolybdic acids with organic solvent, decomposition of the complex and spectrophotometric determination of its molybdenum content.     

Selenium in environmental waters: Determination, speciation and concentration levels

This article reviews the different methods used for the determination of selenium species in all types of environmental waters. Basic difficulties are discussed and the efficiency of the methods is explained in view of the sub-mug/1. concentration levels. Special attention is paid to preconcentration steps. Published data on speciation and concentration levels in various water samples are critically reviewed.     

Determination of uranium in rocks by instrumental activation-analysis using epithermal neutrons

A rapid non-destructive neutron-activation method for the determination of uranium in rocks is described. The method is based on activation with epithermal neutrons and subsequent measurement of the 74 keV gamma-ray of (239)U. Results given for some standard rocks are in good agreement with literature data. The precision of the method is about 5 % and the limit of detection is of the order of 0.1 ppm in silicate rocks.